Motivation for Learning a Foreign Language

Although English predominates in many nations and in many forms of media, other languages are also popular and serve crucial communications purposes around the world. For example, Spanish is spoken in much of Central and Latin America, Chinese-speaking communities are found in many international cities, and Arabic is a major language used in the Middle East. Relating to all these foreign-language speakers means learning their native tongues.

Media

Although foreign-language work is often translated into English, your experience of this media is always colored by the someone else's filter. Imagine being able to read Japanese manga (comics), listen to Italian opera or watch India's Bollywood musicals in their original forms. This is the best way to get close to the original creator's intention and to truly understand what he's trying to convey.

Travel

English-speaking guides and tourist offices exist in the heavy tourist areas of the world. However, English may be scarce in certain countries such as China or even in outlying areas of Western Europe, such as in the French countryside. Knowing the local language is necessary to getting around. In addition, many budget accommodations and locals-only restaurants operate only in the region's native language.

Customers

If you work for a global corporation or a business that specializes in importing or exporting, you will most likely encounter customers who speak a foreign tongue. As long as you speak only English, you cannot really say you have the customer's best interest at heart. Only by making the effort to learn her native language can you prove that you can see her issues and solve her problems. Knowing this, your customers will feel more comfortable in expressing their needs to you and in giving you more business.

Jobs

Jobs abound for those who are proficient in one or more foreign languages. For example, translators are needed by both the courts and doctors to ensure that their legal and medical instructions are properly conveyed to their clients. You may be called upon to translate documents for products that are manufactured in one country and sold in another. You can be asked to transform materials created in one market so they can be used in another market. Needless to say, this proficiency makes you more valuable in the job market than someone lacking the language skills to perform these tasks.

Creativity

A foreign language offers a different way of viewing and expressing life. Speaking and understanding another language not only exposes you to novel ways of thinking but increases your mental flexibility. This, in turn, offers you more options for solving problems and expressing yourself creatively.

References

• Understanding
• Employment and skills
• Appreciation and travel